Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies - Pre Law

University of Dayton - Shorelight

Each year, a significant number of criminal justice majors express interest in pursuing a legal career. This interdisciplinary concentration has been designed with those students in mind. The concentration is designed so that students not only develop an understanding of the law but also develop critical thinking and communication skills. Awareness of ethics is essential for success in legal professions. With this in mind, coursework is designed to encourage students to explore both personal and professional ethics. Students also have the opportunity to obtain a pre-law minor by enrolling in coursework connected to the University of Dayton’s mock trial team. Earning the criminal justice studies degree with a concentration in pre-law does not guarantee acceptance into law school. Law school admission typically requires a high grade point average, as well as satisfactory performance on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Students are encouraged to begin preparing for the LSAT early in their undergraduate careers. Each student is assigned an academic advisor who discusses law school admission requirements. The academic advisor also links the students with on-campus law school preparation resources.